Clothes-washing machine



17, 1950 H. D. BROTMAN 2,525,002

` CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet Il ct. 17,1950 H. D. BROTMAN 2,526,002

cLoTHEs-wAsHING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ilc@ IPatented Oct. 17, 1950 CLOTHES -WASHING MACHINE Hyman D. Brotman,`Detroit, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Horton ManufacturingCompany, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application July 5,1944, Serial No. 543,538

4 Claims. l

The invention relates to washing machines and it has particular relationto a washing machine of the automatic type.

In the type of machine with which the invention is particularlyconcerned, a cylinder is employed which turns on a horizontal axis. Thiscylinder is adapted to receive the clothes to be washed and the machineis oi such character that the clothes are automatically washed. rinsedand centrifugally dried without being removed from the cylinder.Therefore, a mechanism is operatively connected to the cylinder foreffecting such movements of the latter and control of the water sc as toobtain these results.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved construction ofautomatic washirg machine having a horizontal cylinder wherein thecylinder is journalled in bearings ol improved character so that thecylinder is free from any binding action that might otherwise resi'ltfrom misalignment of its axis relative to the drive shaft of the drivingmechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionfor supporting the' bearings so that during operation of the washer, thecylinder does not vibrate or move excepting for the rotary movementimparted to it.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means formounting the operating mechanism and connecting it to the cylinder sothat the mechanism may be easily and quickly disengaged as a unit forthe purpose of facilitating assembly, repair and replacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form ofcabinet and supporting structure for housing and supporting themechanism and cylinder which is strong and durable in character andwhich may be manufactured and assembled eiiiciently and economicallyAther objects of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription, from the drawings to whiclrit relates and from the claimshereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a washing machineconstructed according to one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the machineas seen from the left end ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View on a larger scale taken substantiallyalong the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale taken substantiallyalong the line 4-4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a detail view on a larger scale illustrating a junction ofparts shown on a smaller scale in the circle in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale taken substantiallyalong the line 6--6 of Figure l; and

Figure 7 illustrates the manner in which the driving mechanism isassembled with the machine.

Referring to Figures l, 2, and 3, the invention illustrated comprises acabinet portion I0 which generally is employed for supportingpurposesand lor housing the operating mechanism, and a generally cylindricallyshaped receptacle II in which the washing cylinder is placed. A tubularbar I3 is anchored in the lower part of the cabinet portion I0 and isalso secured to the outer end of the receptacle II for supporting thelatter and details of this arrangement will be set forth presently.

The cabinet portion I0 comprises a band I4 having vertically arrangedside portions IS and I6 and a substantially semi-cylindrical upperportion II. At its opposite edges, the band, as best shown by Figure 3,has respectively inwardly turned flanges I8 and I0 and these serve toincrease the rigidity of the band and also to provide attachmentportions. The flange I3 overlaps the edge of a vertical wall 2l and iswelded thereto to have the band I4 extend laterally from one side of thewall. It Will be noted that the edge of the wall is slightly oilset asindicated at 22 so that the flange lays substantially flush with theremainder of the W'all. The wall 2l, if desired, may have pressed outbeads or ribs to increase its rigidity.

The lower edges of the band I0, as best shown bv Figure 2, are bentinwardly and under a bottom wall 24 as indicated at 25 and 26 and thelapping portions are spot welded. Similarly, as best shown by Figure 3,the lower edge of the wall 2| is bent inwardly under the bottom wall 24,as indicated at 2l, and the lapping parts are welded. This bottom Wallalso has an upwardly turned edge ange 28 which may be 'welded to thelower part of the wall 2| and it similarly may have end anges projectingu=p wardly and Welded to the lower ends of the vertical parts I5 and I6of the band I4. A rea-r cover 30 closes that side of the band I4opposite the v. all 2| andthe edges of the cover may be secured to theflange I8 by means of screws 3l.

This cover may have suitable louvres 32 and the side portion I6 of theband I4, which is at the rear side of the machine, may have similarlouvres 33 so that ventilation is provided. Similarly to the wall 2|,the cover may be reinforced by beads such as indicated at 34 to increaseits rigidity. The compartment thus provided is extremely rigid andstrong and in particular it should be noted that the band I4 greatlyincreases the rigidity and load bearing characteristics of the Wall 2|.

At its upper edge, the wall 2| is substantially semi-circular andsubstantially at the center of curvature the wall has an opening 35 toaccommodate a driving shaft which will presently be mentioned. At theleft side of the wall 2|, as seen in Figure '7, a driving unit 36 isprovided, and this unit, as best shown by Figure 7, is releasablysecured to the wall and to a flanged plate 39 by bolts 40. Nuts 42 onthe outer ends of the bolts serve to anchor the unit on the wall, and itwill be seen that by removing the nuts the unit may be removed.

A tubular sleeve 46 extends through the opening 35 in plate 2| and issupported at the right side of the plate by a disc il also secured tothe plate 2l by the bolts 4l). Preferably the sleeve is welded inposition. Beyond the disc the sleeve has, on its outer surface, aspherical bearing element 48 and this element is engaged by a sphericalsocket member 49 which is fastened at its outer margin to a concave discelement 50 in turn rigidly fastened to an end wall 5I of a cylindricalcage 52 employed in washing the clothes. The disc element has afree-wheeling device 53 secured thereto which includes a driving element54 and driving rollers 55 operable to drive the cylinder when theelement 54 turns in one direction and operable to permit the cylinder toturn freely in the opposite direction. A shaft 56 projecting from thedriving unit 36 and through the sleeve 46 has a square driving end 51|projecting into a similarly shaped opening in the driving element 54 sothat the latter is driven.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the cylinder 52positively is driven in one direction and is free to rotate in the otherdirection and that the driving unit 36 may be removed easily by removingthe nuts 42 and then pulling the mechanism away from the wall 2|.Whether or not the unit is in place, the disc 50 on the cylinder 52 inconjunction with the socket member 49 seals the end of the sleeve 46 andthus water in the receptacle Il can not escape.

The unit 36 has a pulley 51 driven by a belt 58 in turn driven by apulley 59 on the shaft of a motor 60. This motor is supported on a base6| fastened to two supporting plates 62 of inverted U-shape respectivelylocated adjacent opposite ends of the base. One leg of each element isfastened to the vertical and bottom walls 2| and 24 and to an end of thetubular bar or rod |3 by means of a bolt 63 threaded into a bushing 64disposed in and welded to the end of the bar. Hence, in Viewing Figurel, it should be understood that the legs of the tubular rod are fastenedto the lower part of wall 2| and to wall 244 and respectively to U-shapeplates 62. These U-shape plates also have their outer legs welded asindicated at 65 to an edge flange 66 on the base 24.

The receptacle Il is generally of cylindrical form and its upper portionsubstantially corresponds in curvature to the upper part I1 of band I4.At the wall 2|, the receptacle has an inwardly turned flange 10 which issecured to the wall 2| by means of fastening devices 1| spaced suitablyaround the edge of the receptacle, and a rubber gasket 12 is providedfor sealing purposes between the flange and wall.

The outer end of the receptacle has a radially disposed wall 14 and thiswall at its center has an opening 15 through which a tubular element 16extends. The latter element is enlarged inwardly of the wall 14 therebyproviding an annular shoulder 11 and between the wall 14 and thisshoulder a collar 18 is provided. At the opposite side of the wall 14disc elements 19 and are provided and these are secured together bymeans of circumferentially spaced bolts 8|. The wall 14 and discelements 19 and 80 are secured tightly against the collar 18 and thelatter against the shoulder 11 by means of a threaded cap 83 threaded onthe outer end of the-tubular element 16. From this it follows that thetubular element 16 is rigidly but releasably secured to the wall 14.

The outer disc 80 has an edge flange 85 of arcuate shape so as to fitthe tubular rod or bar d3 and this bar extends upwardly and around abouthalf of the flange 85 and along the contact between the rod and flange,the parts are welded. A cover 81 is fastened over the disc 80 by meansof a screw 88 so as to enhance the appearance of the construction.

Inwardly of the wall 14, a reinforcing disc 90 is provided which may bewelded adjacent its outer edge to the Wall. This disc at its inner edgehas an opening for receiving the element 16 and preferably an annularcollar 9| is provided in the opening to obtain a longer bearing support.Inwardly of the disc 90, a bearing sleeve 94 is provided on element 16and the outer surface of this bearing element is spherical and contactsa spherical socket 95 secured to a disc element 96 which in turn isfastened to the outer end wall of the cylinder indicated at 91. Inconnection with this spherical bearing, it should be appreciated thatthe cylinder 52 can turn with the spherical bearings 48 and 94 and atthe same time a self-aligning effect is obtained since the cylinder canmove universally at either end about the spherical bearing.

Between the horizontal leg portions of the bar I3, a channel-shaped baror shoe 98 is provided and this is secured to the two legs of'the bar bymeans of bolt type fasteners 99 having nuts |00 on their lower ends. Asbest shown by Figures i 1 and 6, the shoe 98 has a pair of adjustablestud type supports |00 each of which extends through a bushing |0| andthrough an opening in the upper wall of the shoe. A lock nut |02 on theupper end of the stud serves to lock it in position. The bushing |0| iswelded in place and if the nut |02 is loosened and the stud turned, theverticalv position of the stud may be thus varied and the machine thusraised and lowered on the floor. Similar adjusting studs |05, as shownby Figure 3, are provided on opposite ends of the bottom wall 24. Fromthis it follows that the four adjustable points of support are providedto obtain a level support for the machine.

From the foregoing, it should be evident that the cylinder 52 has aself-aligning bearing at each end and that each end is firmly supportedby strongly reinforced structural elements so as thereby to avoidvibration. It is evident also that while these results are obtained theentire assembly may be assembled and taken apart easily, and inparticular that the receptacle cage 52 and unit 3B may be easilyinstalled and removed. While assembly and disassembly are thugfacilitated, a strong and rigid structure is obtained and this isimportant in order to withstand centrifugal and other forces involvedduring operation of the machine. The structure generally is disclosedand claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 628,839, illedNovember 15, 1945. 1

The receptacle Il has in its front wall, as best shown by Figure 4, aclothes inserting opening and a door |05, and around the door opening, arubber sealing element |06 is provided which is shaped to fit the door.At its upper edge the door is hinged as indicated at |01 and at itslower edge a suitable handle |08 and locking element |09 are provided.In a large portion of the door, a glass panel ||0 is provided so thatoperation of the cylinder inside m-ay be observed. While it isnt shown,the cylinder 52 also has a door which may be brought into coincidingrelation to the door |05 so that the clothes may be inserted andwithdrawn. The walls of the cylinder may be perforated as indicated toallow desired flow of water through the cylinder.

Although only one form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications may be made without departing from the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A washing machine cabinet structure comprising avertically arranged wall having a substantially semi-circular upperedge, a band of sheet metal disposed at one side of and transversely tosaid wall along the vertically arranged side edges and upper edge of thelatter and having a vertical ange overlapping and fastened to theopposite side of the wall, a bottom member extending between the lowerends of the band and fastened vthereto and to the lower edge of saidwall, a transmission mechanism secured to the wall on the sideencompassed by said band, and a clothes washing receptacle fastened tothe wall at its opposite side, and washing mechanism housed in saidreceptacle and driven by said transmission mechanism.

2. A washing machine cabinet structure comprising a vertically arrangedwall having a substantially semi-circular upper edge, a band of sheetmetal disposed at one side of and transversely to said wall along thevertically arranged side edges and upper edge of the latter and havinga. vertical flange overlapping and fastened to the opposite side of thewall, a bottom member extending between the lower ends of the band andfastened thereto and to the lower edge of said wall, a transmissionmechanism secured to the wall on the side encompassed by said band, asubstantially cylindrical clothes receptacle having washing mechanismmounted therein and driven by said transmission mechanism, saidreceptacle having one end fastened to the wall at its opposite sidesubstantially nush with the semicircular edge of the wall. and aremovable closure plate secured to the edge of said band which is spacedfrom said wall for enclosing said transmission.

ill

3. A washing machine and cabinet structure comprising a verticallyarranged wall, a clothes receiving cylinder at one side of the wall andhaving its axis transverse thereto, a receptacle around the cylinder inhousing relation thereto, bearings at both ends of the receptacle forthe cylinder, a drive unit on the other side oi: the wall and drivinglyand releasably connected through an opening in the latter to thecylinder, a support for the outer end of the receptacle and anchored tothe wall, releasable means connecting the drive unit to the wall andbeing accessible for release at said other side of the wall, releasablemeans connecting the receptacle to the wall and being accessible forrelease also at said other side of the wall, and releasable meansconnecting the support to the wall and being accessible for release alsoat said other side of the wall, whereby the receptacle, drive unit, andsupport may all be removed by releasing the connecting means lat the oneside oi the wall.

4. A washing machine and cabinet structure comprising a verticallyarranged wall, a. clothes receiving cylinder at one side of the walland' having its axis transverse thereto, a receptacle around thecylinder in housing relation thereto, a bearing at said one side forsupporting the adjacent end of the cylinder and disengageable therefromby relative endwise sliding movement, a drive unitI on the other side ofthe wall and drivingly and releasably connected through. an opening inthe latter to the cylinder, a support for the outer end of thereceptacle and anchored to the wall, a bearing carried by said supportfor supporting the adjacent end of the cylinder and disengageabletherefrom by relative endwise sliding movement, releasable meansconnecting the drive unit to the wall and being accessible for releaseat said other side of the wall, releasable means connecting the supportto the wall :and being accessible for release also at said other side ofthe wall, whereby the receptacle, drive unit. and support may all bedisassembled from each other by releasing the connecting means at theone side oi' the wall and the cylinder may be removed by endwise slidingmovement.

HYMAN D. BROTMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille o!this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 117,627 Brotman Nov. 14, 1939359,933 Magee Mar. 22, 1337 736,815 Brown Aug. 18, 11903 1,380,252Richardson May 31. 1&921 1,460,191 Altorfer June 26, 1923 1,564,073Johnson ---a Dec. 1, 1925 1,636,176 Fisher -July 19, 1927 1,657,234Strano Jan. 24, 1928 1,999,796 Zinser Apr. 30. 1935 2,046,810 CannonJuly 7, 1936 2,165,884 Chamberlin et al. July 11, 1939 2,317,296Nofzinger Apr. 20, 1943 2,320,713 Brotman June 1, 1943 2,323,993 HarveyJuly 13, 1943 2.354.208

Haberstump July 25, 1944

